This article was originally published on BrideWired
Kim Kardashian's Dramatic Veil Was One for the Books
Kim Kardashian’s marriage to Kanye West, AKA Ye, may have ended in tears. But, when they married in Florence, Italy, in 2014, their big day was one of the biggest celeb weddings of the decade. So here is Kim looking stunning in a full-length gown designed by Riccardo Tisci under the Givenchy label. We love the long lace sleeves, the no-holds-barred veil, and how the dress fits all of Kim’s curves.
The flowing cathedral-length veil doesn’t take away from the flattering cut-out bodice of this gorgeous dress either. So much so that we hardly gave the handsome groom a second glance!
Meghan Markle's Timeless Gown
One of the most high-profile and much-documented celebrity weddings was that of Meghan Markle. She married Prince Harry in 2018 to much fanfare. Here the happy couple is stepping out of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in the UK. British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller designed the wedding dress and veil under the Givenchy label. We love its modest long-sleeved simplicity. It’s a lesson for wannabe brides in style and elegance.
While the price tag was doubtlessly eye-watering, the design is timeless. Then, at the reception, the bride opted for an equally stylish and classy Stella McCartney floor-length high-neck halter dress.
Gwen Stefani's Modern Vera Wang Dress (2021)
Nowadays, Gwen Stefani and her husband Blake Shelton seem as happy as ever. The couple officially tied the knot at an Oklahoma ranch wedding in 2021, and it looks like they had a lot of fun. Here’s Gwen in an eye-catching custom-made Vera Wang gown. She actually wore two Wang gowns that day. Still, the one pictured here is the one worn for the ceremony, made from lily-white silk, complete with a plunging neckline and a high-low skirt.
She's a rock star, and he's a famous country singer, so it doesn't surprise us that they didn't embrace all the regular wedding conventions. We're thrilled they didn't let us down.
Kate Moss's Look Is Boho Meets the 1920s
When one of the world’s most famous supermodels gets married, everyone sits up and waits to see what she’ll wear down the aisle. So here’s Kate Moss looking fabulous as ever on her 2011 wedding day to rocker Jamie Hince. John Galliano designed this boho-looking gown. A longtime friend of the supermodel, and one-time Dior designer, Galliano didn’t hold back on the detail with this 20s and 30s vintage-inspired floor-length gown.
We especially love the gold sequin details on the sheer overlay and the gold beading and embroidery. It certainly adds that extra bit of glamor to this already exquisite gown.
Princess Diana's Beloved Gown
Let’s roll it back to the 1980s and take a look at this enormous meringue of a dress, true to the decade’s style. Designed by Elizabeth Emanuel and David Emanuel, this is the dress Princess Diana wore when she married Prince Charles. It was made from ivory silk taffeta and antique lace. With its 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil, you’re not going to forget this dress anytime soon.
We think this dress should be your starting point for anyone looking for some inspiration for pulling off an authentic Princess-style wedding dress, as long as you have the budget to pay for it, of course!
Celine Dion's 7-Pound Headpiece
It is hard to find the words to describe this wedding outfit worn by Celine Dion for her wedding to René Angelil in 1994. The dress was designed by Mirella and Steve Gentile and apparently took 1,000 hours to make. That's a long time! The dress had long sleeves, a 20-foot train, and a fitted waist. But what stopped us (and everyone else) in our tracks was the headdress.
Made from 2,000 Swarovski crystals, it reportedly had to be sewn into Dion’s hair to keep it in place. It apparently weighed in at 7lb, around the same as the average newborn baby boy.
Nicky Hilton's $100,000 Dress
When Nicky Hilton married her banker boyfriend, James Rothschild, at a lavish ceremony at Kensington Palace in London in 2015, all eyes were on the bride in this romantic and stylish dress. Younger sister to Paris Hilton, she opted for just one wedding gown. Designed by Valentino, this haute couture creation reminds us a little of Kate Middleton’s wedding gown. This dress has long lace sleeves and lots of intricate crystal detailing.
The dress is reputed to have cost a whopping $100,000. We imagine that given the bride is a hotel heiress and the groom is a banker, they didn’t have to look too hard at their wedding budget.
Victoria Beckham Is a True Princess - Tiara and All
Here’s Victoria Beckham pictured in the wedding dress she wore when she and David Beckham married in 1999 at Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland. Victoria Adams, as was, is seen here wearing Vera Wang with some attitude, and she looks stunning! The dress has a 20-foot train to accompany it and has a strapless bodice with a billowing skirt. The dress appeared more recently when Victoria celebrated the 10th anniversary of her own fashion brand.
When she first wore this dress, Victoria accessorized it with an 18-carat gold tiara (what else?). The couple memorably changed into matching purple outfits for their reception and were seated on custom-made thrones.
Jennifer Lopez's Silk Valentino Beauty
Current headlines may be all about the Bennifer reunion, but here’s Jennifer Lopez in a previous incarnation on her wedding day to former backup dancer Chris Judd. She looks radiant in a Valentino-designed off-white silk gown, complete with Chantilly lace and a plunging front and back. The couple is all smiles as they walk down a rose petal-strewn path. The couple’s romance began on the set of Lopez’s music video.
While their 2001 marriage may only have lasted a short time, we think this gown definitely stands the test of time. Also, just look at how gorgeous her bridal bouquet is. All in all, it's a beautiful ensemble!
Gisele Bündchen's Dramatic Train
Some celebs go all out and have hundreds of guests at their wedding. Here, however, we have the opposite. Fashion model Gisele Bündchen married Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady in a small and private ceremony at the Santa Monica Catholic Church. But, just because you have a small wedding, it doesn’t mean you can’t go all out with the dress you choose. So here is Giselle in a stunning off-the-shoulder lace wedding dress.
We love its long train and lace-trimmed veil embroidered with white flowers. It’s a stunner. The bride later wore a sequined Dolce and Gabbana dress for the couple’s reception, which, again, was gorgeous!
Mariah Carey's $200,000 Look
Let's talk about this dress Mariah Carey wore to her vow renewal ceremony with her then-husband Nick Cannon in 2012. The couple actually married in 2008 in the Bahamas and decided to renew their vows four years later in Paris. So here's Mariah wearing a silk gown that reminds us of mermaids. We're struggling to see how our star managed to walk in this gorgeous, tight-fitting gown with a black bow.
But what’s really caught our eye is not the Eiffel Tower in the background here. Instead, it’s the megawatt $200,000 diamond necklace our diva is wearing that’s got our attention. Now that’s sparkle!
Pippa Middleton's Romantic and Modest Look
Sister to Kate Middleton, AKA The Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton generated tons of headlines when she was her sister’s bridesmaid at the royal wedding. Fast forward to 2017, when it was Pippa’s turn to wed. The bride wore a Giles Deacon-designed wedding gown at her marriage to James Matthews. We think it has the same romantic overtones as her famous sister’s dress, especially its fitted waist and modestly high neckline.
The dress is a true romantic dream, and underneath all those swathes of fabric is a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps. Also, Pippa’s “something borrowed” was the diamond earrings her sister wore on her special day.
Zoe Kravitz Gets All Pearled up
Okay, so this might not be Zoe Kravitz's official wedding dress, but it's the bridal look she rocked for her rehearsal dinner. The actress married Karl Glusman in 2019, and her three-part fit was just too fabulous not to include on this list. The almost-bride wore what looked like white biker shorts overlaid with a bespoke mother-of-pearl dress. The crochet outfit was designed by Danielle Frankel and is certainly eye-catching.
The aim was to create a timeless and elegant halter-neck, sleeveless drop-waisted ballerina style dress as a homage to Audrey Hepburn and is made with tiny pearls and organza. Sounds glorious, don’t you agree?
Priscilla Presley Designed This Dress Herself
Okay, so there’s a reason why most celebs invite designers to create their dresses. Elsewhere, we have Priscilla Presley, who designed her own wedding dress when she married The King, aka Elvis. To be fair, it was 1967, and people did things differently back then, right? So here’s our beaming bride in a white dress encrusted with pearls and a three-foot tulle veil. The couple married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas.
What we DO like, however, is the understated style of the dress that’s definitely of its time. The 1960s glamor has a classic simplicity about it that is pretty cool.
Kate Middleton's Unforgettable Look
When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, millions of people tuned in to see the event and, naturally, the dress. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, it's a lovely example of a stylish and classy wedding dress. Among its many beautiful features, we see stunning fitted long sleeves crafted handmade by the Royal School of Needlework. That's as well as floral appliqués, a fitted Victoria bodice, and an almost 9ft long train.
In case there wasn’t enough sparkle in the day, the Cartier halo tiara added some extra bling. It was Kate’s “something borrowed” and was initially gifted to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.
Britney Spears' Choker and Lace Gloves
When Britney Spears' infamous conservatorship finally ended, fans suspected it was only a matter of time until she and her longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari tied the knot. And in June of 2022, it was confirmed: the loving couple wed in a private ceremony in their backyard, followed by a party full of icons. From Madonna to Drew Barrymore, Spears chose some of her best a-list confidantes to put on the guest list.
Britney wore a dress designed by none other than Donatella Versace. The gown was paired with a trendy choker and lace gloves.
Jada Pinkett Looks Rock and Roll in Velvet
When Jada Pinkett and Will Smith married on New Year's Eve, 1997, their wedding was kept tightly under wraps. The happy couple both wore white for their nuptials, and we have to admit that we love Will Smith's white trouser suit. Very cool. But we're not here to talk about suits, so back to wedding dresses - Jada's crushed velvet high-neck fitted gown has its virtues, too. The high neck is flattering, as are the long sleeves.
We also love the massive bouquet; it complements the dress beautifully. The baby pink and white roses are classic and lend a traditional feel to the otherwise contemporary-looking dress.
Katie Holmes Sparkled in Swarovski Crystals
Of course, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise had a lavish wedding ceremony in Italy. So much so that our beautiful bride here wore not one but two Giorgio Armani-designed gowns. Not surprisingly, the 2006 Scientology ceremony at Odescalchi was the talk of the town at the time. The silk and lace gown we see here is beautiful, and it’s clear that a ton of work went into creating it for the couple’s big day.
The off-the-shoulder look is super flattering, and we love that long, traditional-looking veil. It’s another win for the fairy tale princess-style wedding gown look, complete with sparkly Swarovski crystals for a touch of extra glamour.
Audrey Hepburn Looks Effortlessly Chic
Here’s an iconic movie star, Audrey Hepburn, pictured at her 1969 wedding to her second husband, neurologist and psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. The couple married in Switzerland. This photo just goes to show that if you’re Audrey Hepburn, you don’t need pearls, lace, and frills. Instead, you just need your own simple and classy signature style. Our bride is wearing a simple pale pink funnel-neck Givenchy dress for her special day.
The dress is paired with white tights and white ballet flats. We think the instantly recognizable actress looks effortlessly chic and understated in this wedding outfit. We love the gloves and matching headscarf too!
Gwen Stefani's Ombré Moment (2002)
The color pink pops up with some regularity in this list. But, this time, it’s Gwen Stefani wearing a John Galliano for Christian Dior pink creation at her wedding to Gavin Rossdale. The fabric was actually dip-dyed and hand-painted in pink. Of course, Gwen looks terrific. But we’re not 100% sure about the pink here. However, it generated a lot of positive attention at the time, and we can agree the bride looks stunning.
That said, we love her beautiful veil. Just look at the intricate, delicate floral-themed lace and how it sits perfectly within her gorgeous updo. All in all, she looks beautiful!
Tina Turner Says "No, Thanks" to White
Here’s Tina Turner looking as individual as ever. This is a photograph of her wedding day in 2013 to Erwin Bach. Widely described at the time as her toyboy (Bach was 57 to Turner’s 73 at the time), the couple had dated since 1986. Why not defy convention and go for something completely different? Here’s Tina in a Giorgio Armani gown that she first spotted on the catwalk in Beijing.
All the couple’s female guests wore white, while the men were in black tie at the ceremony in Switzerland. Whatever your opinion of this big dress, let’s just say she’s simply the best - see what we did there.
Kourtney Kardashian Rocks a Mini Dress
Ever since Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker made the move from friends to lovers, they've had the whole world talking. So it's hardly surprising that for weeks after the couple's wedding in Italy, it seemed like all the internet could talk about was the glamorous weekend that went down to celebrate the couple. And much of that talk also revolved around Kourtney's wedding dress: a Dolce & Gabbana mini dress.
She wore the sultry dress along with a dramatic, floor-length veil with embroidery of the Virgin Mary.
Paris Hilton Looks to Grace Kelly for Inspiration
Anyone who follows Paris Hilton will know she doesn’t do anything by halves. Not content with one wedding gown, the socialite wore four different wedding gowns during her three-part wedding weekend to Carter Reum. Here she is pictured wearing a Grace Kelly-inspired Oscar de la Renta bespoke gown. We love this gown’s high neckline and lace sleeves, alongside its full ball gown skirt made of multiple layers of tulle.
Who doesn’t want to look and feel like a princess on her wedding day, right?
Grace Kelly Becomes a Princess
Time for another princess, this time one of the most iconic ones of all: Grace Kelly. Here's an official photo of her and Prince Rainier III of Monaco on their wedding day. This iconic gown is definitely fit for a princess. Designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer Helen Rose, the floor-length gown made from ivory faille and 100 yards of silk net is stunning. It apparently inspired Kate Middleton's wedding dress.
Its high neckline just adds to its class. We also love the fitted bodice, full-on taffeta skirt, and three-foot-long train. The finished product nicely offsets Prince Rainier’s formal-looking military attire.
Pamela Anderson Marries in a Bikini
Why Baywatch star Pamela Anderson thought of marrying Tommy Lee in a white string bikini (and sailor cap, at one point) is anyone’s guess. At least her groom isn’t wearing much either on their big day aboard a yacht in St Tropez. So the pair look pretty well in tune with each other. However, a week later, the couple sealed the deal in a more official (and legal) ceremony in Beverly Hills.
The bride was also pictured aboard the yacht wearing a pair of diamond-crusted Jimmy Choos and a white veil to complete her outfit. Whatever your opinion of the bikini, we can all agree she looks fantastic.
Hilary Duff's Backless Gown
We're big fans of this stylish black and white wedding image. Unsurprisingly, Hilary Duff doesn't disappoint. Here she is pictured at her wedding to recording producer Matthew Koma in 2019. She's wearing a stylish backless Jenny Packham dress that certainly has us sold. The custom-made dress is all the better for its contemporary yet understated simplicity. We just can't get enough of this shoulder-padded dress in all its finery and the cute buttons at the back.
If you look closely, you can also see the beautiful Anita Ko earrings and the diamond and pearl Jennifer Behr headband she paired with the stunning gown. All in all, it's a gorgeous wedding outfit.
Julianne Moore Keeps It Simple
Who says you have to wear white or cream on your wedding day anyway? Julianne Moore broke with tradition when she was pictured in 2003 after her wedding to director Bart Freundlich at their Manhattan home. Moore’s dress is Prada and has a plunging neckline. The pair have adopted a more casual wedding style, and why not? The groom’s purple tie is an excellent matching detail that complements his bride’s pale purple dress.
Not only that, but our bride wore green silk Prada heels to match her ankle-length wedding dress, all accessorized with a pair of long dangling earrings she borrowed from Ellen Barkin.
Marilyn Monroe Was a Conservative Bride
Those famous curves would look great whatever she wore. Here is Marilyn Monroe in her wedding outfit when she got married the second time around to baseball player Joe DiMaggio in 1954. Here she's rocking those curves in a decidedly understated and modest fitted dark brown with a white fur collar and open-toe shoes. This is the happy couple emerging from their elopement and civil ceremony wedding in New York.
The marriage only lasted 274 days, but the pair remained pals. When she died, DiMaggio arranged for red roses to be delivered to Marilyn’s grave three times a week until his death 20 years later.
Mariah Carey's Princess Gown (1993)
Sticking with the diva theme for a little longer, here’s Mariah Carey, pictured in 1993, aged 23, on her wedding day to Tommy Mottola. In true style, the singer had 50 flower girls - that’s a lot of flowers! And wore a puffy-sleeved Vera Wang gown. There’s no understated glamor here. It’s an all-out big dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a 27-foot train. How did she even get that dress in the wedding car?
Carey’s marriage to the music executive, who was more than two decades her senior, ended after five years. Carey later spoke about her marriage, referring to herself as a “child bride” at the time.
Solange Knowles Looks Stunning in a Jumpsuit
The ever-chic Solange Knowles opted for a cream-colored jumpsuit as one of her wedding outfits when she married director Alan Ferguson in New Orleans in 2014. Here are the happy pair artfully pictured with a couple of white bicycles. Solange proves she’s a super trendsetter with this outfit and successfully showcases that the all-out traditional white dress isn’t the one and only way to look amazing on your wedding day.
So, we’re big fans of this look. The low-cut jumpsuit was designed by Stéphane Rolland. While the couple split after five years together, the jumpsuit is still a fashion statement to this day.
Portia De Rossi's Plunging Neckline
Here’s actress and model Portia de Rossi on the day she and Ellen DeGeneres married in 2008. That’s quite the wedding gown. A backless blush pink ball gown with a nipped-in waist and halter neck style, it steals the show. Designed by Zac Posen, we especially love the full-on tulle skirt. It’s a romantic style with a modern twist, and we love it. The couple married in a small ceremony at their LA home.
The pretty-in-pink look is a win with us, and we think Portia wears it well, although if your tastes are more traditional and straightforward, you may feel this big dress look isn't your style.
Rose Leslie Chose a Classic Look
Look, if your dad happens to own a Scottish castle, of course, you're going to get married in it, right? So here is Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie on her father's arm on her 2018 wedding day to fellow star Kit Harrington. Rose looks resplendent in a vintage-inspired Elie Saab lace gown, veil, and flower crown. We think this lace-sleeved dress has a real princess look, and we love it.
Rose looks beautiful in this stunning embroidered gown. It’s a far cry from her fur-themed Game of Thrones wardrobe, and we think it’s one of our favorite wedding gowns on this list.
Poppy Delevingne's Custom-Made Chanel
British model and actress Poppy Delevigne went all out with the haute couture on her wedding day to James Cook. Although the couple is no longer together, they went all out on the wedding day with a reported 17 bridesmaids. Here is Poppy in a 30s-inspired custom-made Chanel gown designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The floor-length dress had a beautiful sheer overlay that was beaded and embellished with lace and flowers.
The dress looks fantastic on the model’s frame, and what’s super clever is that the bottom half is removable, so Poppy wore only the top mini dress part at the reception.
Jane Fonda's Low-Key Gown
Jane Fonda got married three times, which means she got to rock three beautiful wedding dresses. For her first marriage in 1965, the icon wore a stylish above-the-knee dress perfect for the era. We love the "less is more" approach. Sadly, Fonda kept her second wedding quite private, and we don't know what she wore to that ceremony. But for her 1991 wedding to Ted Turner, she wore the gorgeous gown seen below.
Fonda dressed more traditionally while marrying her third husband. Fun fact: she later sold the gown at auction in 2016, long after the couple divorced.
Gabrielle Union Is Radiant in Strapless Dress
When the actress married NBA star Dwyane Wade in 2014, she had yet to have her big-time break in the teen film Bring It On. Here’s our happy couple pictured on their special day at Chateau Artisan in Miami. Gabrielle looks gorgeous in a white strapless gown designed by Dennis Basso. Given the ceremony was in a chateau, we love this fairytale-inspired outfit that just adds to the class.
The happy pair are surrounded by Dwyane’s three sons, who look just as stylish as the bride and groom in their formal wear. However, we think Gabrielle definitely takes center stage here in this fabulous gown!
Liza Minnelli Frilly and Laced Look
Here’s another nod to the period wedding dress with this gown worn by actress and singer Liza Minnelli on her wedding day in 1967 to composer and performer Peter Allen, whose life and songs inspired The Boy From Oz. So here’s our 21-year-old bride in a Victorian-inspired gown with three-quarter length sleeves, ruffled cuffs, and lace detail on the bodice. Allen was Minnelli’s first husband, and the couple split in 1974.
Back to the dress, it wouldn't be our first choice, but it's certainly not our last either. We like the high neck and lace detail and the long plain white skirt, but the look is a little dated.
Diana Ross's Glamorous Fit
No collection of best and worst celebrity wedding dresses would be complete without another super famous diva: Diana Ross. Having said that, we had to squint at who was behind that veil. So here is the diva on her 1985 wedding day to Arne Næss Jr. in Switzerland. Diana Ross wore a white satin dress embroidered with pearls. The long veil is made from hand-embroidered antique Belgian lace - what else?
Designed by Carolina Herrera, the dress is ideally suited to the glamorous look that Ross is known for. From her Supreme days to the present day, the superstar doesn’t disappoint.
The Bachelor's Catherine Lowe
The American graphic designer married former Bachelor star Sean Lowe in 2014 in a televised ceremony. The couple got hitched after falling in love on the show. Catherine wore this lace sleeveless gown designed by Monique Lhuillier. The couple’s well-documented courtship and subsequent marriage had a few early hiccups. But, as for the lace-paneled dress, we think the bride looks lovely. Again, we wonder how easy it was to walk down the aisle in this mermaid style.
But hey, weddings aren’t about practicalities, they’re about romance and love, and our still married pair look like they have plenty of that. Plus, the vintage-style veil looks absolutely divine!
The Bachelor's Sydney Hightower Stuns in Lace
Bachelor star Sydney Hightower might not have found her perfect match on the small screen, but she did find him later. She and NFL star Fred Warner tied the knot in June of 2022 in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and other loved ones. Naturally, the bride looked absolutely gorgeous on her special day. While she sported multiple looks throughout the night, our favorite is the all-lace mermaid gown pictured below.
The couple had a traditional wedding ceremony in a small California chapel, and this dress was the perfect look for it.
Toni Garrn's Greek Goddess Gown
This Hollywood power couple first tied the knot in October 2020 in Germany. But the summer of 2022 saw the pair say their vows one more time in a romantic ceremony out of our dreams. Model Toni Garrn and actor Alex Pettyfer wed once more during a beachside ceremony in Greece, and the supermodel wore a silky and flowy dress that could not have fit the vibe any better than it did.
Let's be honest: she'd probably look stunning if she wore a trash bag, so it's no surprise that she glowed in this dreamy look.